More Like this

1. Participatory Design in the Classroom: Exploring the Design of an Autonomous Vehicle Human-Machine Interface with a Visually Impaired Co-Designer

   Huff, E. ; Lucaites, K. ; Roberts, A ; Brinkley, J ( January 2020 , Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting)

   Self-driving vehicles are the latest innovation in improving personal mobility and road safety by removing arguably error-prone humans from driving-related tasks. Such advances can prove especially beneficial for people who are blind or have low vision who cannot legally operate conventional motor vehicles. Missing from the related literature, we argue, are studies that describe strategies for vehicle design for these persons. We present a case study of the participatory design of a prototype for a self-driving vehicle human-machine interface (HMI) for a graduate-level course on inclusive design and accessible technology. We reflect on the process of working alongside a co-designer, a person with a visual disability, to identify user needs, define design ideas, and produce a low-fidelity prototype for the HMI. This paper may benefit researchers interested in using a similar approach for designing accessible autonomous vehicle technology. INTRODUCTION The rise of autonomous vehicles (AVs) may prove to be one of the most significant innovations in personal mobility of the past century. Advances in automated vehicle technology and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) specifically, may have a significant impact on road safety and a reduction in vehicle accidents (Brinkley et al., 2017; Dearen, 2018). According to the Department of Transportation (DoT), automated vehicles could help reduce road accidents caused by human error by as much as 94% (SAE International, n.d.). In addition to reducing traffic accidents and saving lives and property, autonomous vehicles may also prove to be of significant value to persons who cannot otherwise operate conventional motor vehicles. AVs may provide the necessary mobility, for instance, to help create new employment opportunities for nearly 40 million Americans with disabilities (Claypool et al., 2017; Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 2019), for instance. Advocates for the visually impaired specifically have expressed how “transformative” this technology can be for those who are blind or have significant low vision (Winter, 2015); persons who cannot otherwise legally operate a motor vehicle. While autonomous vehicles have the potential to break down transportation 

   more » « less
2. Using Personas with Visual Impairments to Explore the Design of an Accessible Self-Driving Vehicle Human-Machine Interface

   Brinkley, J. ( January 2021 , Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting)

   Recent reports have suggested that most self-driving vehicle technology being developed is not currently accessible to users with disabilities. We purport that this problem may be at least partially attributable to knowledge gaps in practice-oriented user-centered design research. Missing, we argue, are studies that demonstrate the practical application of user-centered design methodologies in capturing the needs of users with disabilities in the design of automotive systems specifically. We have investigated user-centered design, specifically the use of personas, as a methodological tool to inform the design of a self-driving vehicle human-machine interface for blind and low vision users. We then explore the use of these derived personas in a series of participatory design sessions involving visually impaired co-designers. Our findings suggest that a robust, multi-method UCD process culminating with persona development may be effective in capturing the conceptual model of persons with disabilities and informing the design of automotive system. 

   more » « less
3. UTT: A Conceptual Model to Guide the Universal Design of Autonomous Vehicles

   Carvalho, S ; Ahire, S ; Huff, E ; Brinkley, J. ( January 2020 , Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting)

   Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are closer to becoming a reality in changing the landscape of commercial and personal transportation. The launch of these vehicles come with the promise of improved road safety, reduced traffic fatalities, and enhanced mobility. However, there are questions as to whether the design of AVs will meet the needs of everyone, including people with disabilities and older adults. We argue that there exists no conceptual model that guide sthe inclusive design of autonomous vehicles to benefit all intended users. This paper proposes such a model, called the User Transportation-Activity Technology (UTT) model, which supports the inclusive design of AVs. We present a review of current models of assistive technology design and their drawbacks followed by an introduction of the UTT model and its application in AV design. This paper may benefit researchers, designers, and developers of autonomous vehicles interested in addressing accessible design issues in such vehicles. 

   more » « less
4. Tell Me What I Need To Know: Consumers’ Desire for Information Transparency in Self-Driving Vehicles

   https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181321651240  

   Huff Jr, Earl W. ; Day Grady, Siobahn ; Brinnkley, Julian ( September 2021 , Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting)

   Fully autonomous or “self-driving” vehicles are an emerging mobility technology with a host of potential benefits over conventional motor vehicles. Proponents argue that widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles may save countless lives and millions of dollars annually by minimizing the likelihood of deadly vehicle crashes. However, for such benefits to be realized, widespread consumer adoption of self-driving technologies is a prerequisite. Prior research suggests that while consumers are broadly optimistic about the potential of vehicle automation, there are significant concerns that may undermine consumer adoption, such as the transparency of vehicle operation. There is insufficient research into consumers’ desire to understand a self-driving vehicle’s intent and decision-making process and its impact on their willingness to adopt. We conducted a study using a 63-question internet-based survey distributed in the United States to licensed drivers 18 years of age and older (n= 996) to examine consumer preferences of the information transparency of self-driving vehicles. Our findings suggest that middle-aged and older consumers of high household income were generally optimistic about the information sharing behavior and transparency of self-driving vehicles upon availability. 

   more » « less
5. What Can My Car Tell Me? Consumer Perceptions of Transparency in Self-Driving Vehicles

   https://doi.org/10.1109/ICHMS56717.2022.9980645  

   Huff, Earl W. ; Tucker, Natalie ; Grady, Siobahn Day ; Brinkley, Julian ( November 2022 , 2022 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Human-Machine Systems (ICHMS))

   Fully autonomous or “self-driving” vehicles are emerging mobility technology with potential benefits over conventional motor vehicles. Proponents argue that the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles may save countless lives and millions of dollars annually by minimizing the likelihood of deadly vehicle crashes. However, widespread adoption of automated-driving technologies is required to realize such benefits, which research suggests, may be undermined by consumer concerns about vehicle operation transparency. Further, there is insufficient research into consumer perceptions of an autonomous vehicle’s communication and information-sharing behavior, which may impact their likelihood of purchasing one. We conducted a study using a 63-question internet-based survey distributed in the United States to licensed drivers 18 years of age and older (n=996) to examine consumer perceptions of autonomous vehicles across accountability, communication, information sharing, and concerns. Our findings show that consumer perceptions of the four dimensions vary significantly across race, gender, and ability. 

   more » « less